Trump Criticizes Kennedy Center Management Facilities After Chair Appointment

President Donald Trump has taken control of the Kennedy Center by ousting Biden-appointed board members and installing his own picks, who then named him chair, breaking with longstanding tradition. At a recent White House board dinner, Trump criticized the Kennedy Center's facilities, claiming that despite significant spending, the center was in "tremendous disrepair" and that funds were not properly used on basic maintenance like wallpaper or carpet. He accused the previous leadership of wasting millions on political propaganda and "inappropriate shows," while promising to bring "non-woke" performances to the institution. Former Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter rejected these allegations, stating that the financial reports were transparent and professionally audited, and attributing maintenance backlogs to limited federal funding. Trump's new board lineup includes shows such as The Outsiders and Moulin Rouge, even as some criticized performances featuring crossdressing characters remain on the schedule. This takeover and criticism reflect Trump's broader efforts to reshape federal institutions in line with his political agenda.